Heater for stock tanks



Nov. 3, 1953 n, FRANSEN 7,

HEATER FOR s'rocx TANKS Filed June 28, 1948 i I :j

7 f Z f5 5 3nventor' Dar/a 50/7590 attornegs Patented Nov. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,657,682 HEATERYFOR STOCK TANKS- lJavid Fransen, Wichita, Kans.

Application une 28, 1948, Serial No. 35,572

3 Claims. 1

This invention 'relates to an immersion heater for stock tanks and similar vessels and has for its principal object to provide a heater of this character with means for maintaining a posi- -tive and continuous circulation of the liquid to be heated throughout the entire tank and thereby prevent freezing of any portion of the liquid during cold weather.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heater that is highly efficient in operation and therefore conservative of fuel.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through an immersion heater embodying the features of the present invention and showing it installation in a stock tank or similar vessel.

Fig. 2 is a similar section taken at right angles to the section of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2. q

Referring more in detail to the drawing:

I designates a heater constructed in accordance with the present invention and which is particularly adapted for use in a stock or similar tank or vessel for heating the water or other liquid and prevent freezing thereof during cold weather. The heater illustrated comprisesa casing 2 having an annular side wall 3, a top 4 and a bottom 5 suitably connected together by leak-tight joints to provide a leak-proof combustion and burner chamber 6 when the casing is submerged in the liquid of the tank. The casing is of a height that when it is supported from the bottom of a tank on legs I the top 4 is located below the level of the water ordinarily maintained in the tank and a flow space is provided under the bottom 5 so that the entire area of the casing provides a heating surface in contact with the liquid.

Mounted in the casing near the bottom thereof is the horizontal discharge end 8 of an air supply duct 9. The horizontal portion 8 extends through and is sealed within an opening 7 It in the side wall of the tank and joins with a riser II that extends a substantial distance above the level of the liquid and terminates in a laterally directed inlet l2 having a draft control damper I3 for'regulating admisison of combustion supporting air into the heater casing.

The riser portion of the air duct is supported by its attachment to the wall of the casing and by a bracket I4 near the top 4. The top of the casing is also provided on the side opposite the air supply duct with a stack l5 through which exhaust gases are discharged. The stack also extends above the level of the liquid and carries a rotatably mounted vent cap l6 which has a vane H for maintaining the discharge outlet H! on the downwind side to promote draft through the casing and eliminate downdraft that might interfere with operation of the burner.

Mounted above the discharge end of the horisontal portion of the air supply duct is a fire pan I9 that is supplied with fuel through a pipe 2!] leading downwardly through the top 4 of the casing and which terminates above the fire pan. The outer end of the fuel supply pipe is connected with a fuel tank 2| carried as, for example, by a tubular standard 22 carried on the top 4 of the casing and which seats the cone-shaped bottom 23 of the fuel container. The standard 22 is welded to the top 4 in encircling relation with an opening 24 that is normally closed by a plate 25 through which the pipe 21! extends. The rate of fuel feed is controlled by a valve 26 having a stem 21 extending laterally through a slot 28 in the tubular support as shown in Fig. 1. The stem of the valve is provided on the exterior side of the support with a hand wheel 29 by which the valve may be adjusted.

liquid to be heated, the casing is provided with transverse circulating ducts 38 and 3| having inlets 32 and 33 extending through openings 32 and 33 in the side wall of the casing near the bottom and at points below the fire pan and on opposite sides thereof so that the ducts cross at a point above the fire pan and have outlet ends 34 and 35 passing through openings 34' and 35" that are provided in the opposite side walls of the casing at a higher level as shown in Fig. 2. 'The crossing point 35 of the ducts is therefore located within the hottest point of the combustion chamber and preferably within the name generated by burning fuel in the fire pan to heat the liquid and impart a vigorous discharge at a velocity to carry the heated liquid to the walls of the tank.

The respective ends of the ducts are welded within the openings in the walls of the casing or otherwise attached to provide leak-tight joints.

In using the heater constructed and assembled as described, it is placed within the stock tank indicated by the numeral 3'! with the bottom legs 1 resting upon the bottom of the'tank so that the liquid in the tank may circulate under and around the bottom of the heater casing. The liquid level is preferably maintained in the tank above the top 4.

A fire may be kindled in the fire pan 19 through the opening 24 upon removal of the plate 25 and prior to application of the fuel tank. The fuel tank containing the fuel and plate 25 are then replaced, and the valve is adjusted to allow the fuel to drip into the fire pan. The fuel maintains a flame which, plays upon the crossing points of the tubes. This heats the water in the tubes and circulation is started by displacement lower ends of the tubes. hotter the action through the tubes sets up cir- 4 ply duct, laterally spaced circulating tubes extending across the combustion chamber with one tube on one side of the fuel feeding duct and the other on the opposite side, said tubes being extended in crossed formation and said fuel duct having a discharge between said tubes, a burner element located in the combustion chamber below the crossing point of said tubes and in position to receive fuel from the fuel feeding duct, and a venticonnected with.theupper portion of the casing and extending above theliquid level. 3. A heater including a casing adapted for submergence in a liquid to be heated and formculation within the tank up to the wallithereof so that ice is prevented from forming anywhere. in the tank.

From the foregoing it is obvious that: I. have provided a tank heater which maintains a positive circulation which is efficient in operation and which is conservative of fuel.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.. A. heater including a. casing adapted for submergence in a body of liquid to be heated, an. air supply duct:extendingdownwardly alongside the casing and having a lateral portion extending through the. casing, near. the bottom. thereof. a fire pan, meanssupporting the fire pan near the outlet end of said lateral. portion of the duct, tubes-extending. transversely within the casing and. crossing each'otherv above the fire pan in laterally spacedrelation; av fuel. tank, means forv supporting the fuel tank above the casing, and a. fuel supply duct connected withthe fuel tank and discharging into the fire pan; between the space at the crossing point of saidtubes.

2. A heater including a casing adapted for subznergence in a liquid to be heated and-form ing a combustionchamber below the surface'level of the liquid, an air supply duct extending downwardly along one side of the casing and through an opening in the casing. near the bottom thereof for supplying combustion supporting air a tubular support on top of, the casing and extending above said. liquid level, a fuel tank carried on the upper end of the-support, a fuelfeeding duct connected with the fuel tank and extending through the tubular support into the combustion chamber. near the.discharge end of. the air sup ing alcombustion chamber below the surface level of the liquid, a fuel burner in the bottom if the chamber; an air supply duct extending downwardly and into the combustion chamber for supplying combustion supporting air to the fuel burnenxasupport on top of the casing and extending above said liquid level, a fuel tank carriedon. theupper end of the support, af-uel feeding. duct connectedwith the fueltank'and extending. into thecombustion chamber' and having. discharge intothefuel burnelylaterally spaced. circulating tubes extending, across thecombustion chamber, With.one tube, on,one side of the fuel feeding duct. andtheother on the;

opposite side, said tubes being. extended in, crossed.v formation directlyover said fuelburner and in thefiame resulting fromcombustion of the fuel, and'a vent. connected withtheupper portion of the casing and; extending above the liquid level for venting thecombustion chamber,

DAVID FRANSEN.

References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 152,274 Camp June 23; 1874 199,803 Dauth Jan; 29, 1878 203,636 Mills et a1: May'l l, 1878 1,240,477 Nelson Sept. 18; 1917' 1,397,83 Allsteadt' Nov. 22, 1921 1,690,659 Wykes Nov. 6; 1928* 1,700,285 Dibbern Jan. 29, 1929 1,463,099" Steinke July 24; 1933 2,026340 Bradbury Dec. 31, 1935.

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 100,227 Australia Feb. 4, 1937 

